Flexion Arm Mount

ABSTRACT

A method for attaching camera filters and other light transmissive elements using flexural rigidity. A flexion arm enables coupling with cameras and other devices in areas non-proximate to a lens. A frame conjoined with the flexion arm enables attachment of the camera filter to a camera lens or lens housing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods and devices for attaching accessories to cameras. Specifically, it relates to the removably attaching light transmissive elements and other optical devices to a camera lens or lens housing.

LIST OF PRIOR ART

The following is a list of prior art that presently appears relevant:

U.S. Patents

Patent Number: Kind Code: Grant Date: Patentee: 5,053,794 A 1991 Oct. 1 Benz 5,040,011 A 1991 Aug. 13 Tiffen 5,070,407 A 1991 Dec. 3 Wheeler 5,208,624 A 1993 May 4 MacKay 5,299,067 A 1994 Mar. 29 Kutz 5,396,487 A 1995 Mar. 7 Abe 5,457,577 A 1995 Oct. 10 Wilson 6,381,081 B1 2002 Apr. 30 Ford 6,441,975 B1 2002 Aug. 27 Ebert 8,087,558 B2 2012 Jan. 3 Tsai 8,593,745 B2 2013 Nov. 26 O'Neill 8,620,153 B2 2013 Dec. 31 Overall

Nonpatent Literature Documents

-   “Why You'll Wear a Body Camera.” Tech World,     www.techworld.com.au/article/print/626812/why-II-wear-body-camera/.

BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART

Camera filters have long been used to improve the quality of photographs and video footage. Camera filters allow a user to improve image quality in a variety of settings. When in use, camera filters must be removably attached to the camera lens or lens housing. Advancements in camera technology have enabled a decrease in size of cameras and lenses, with concurrent improvements in quality. Cameras can now be configured to the dimensions best suited to their desired function. This enables cameras, both video graphic and photographic, to be affixed and integrated into a variety of objects and devices. Cameras are now used in a greater array of circumstances and the need for versatility in coupling camera filters and optical devices has increased.

Many methods have been developed for directly coupling camera filters to camera lenses and lens housing. The use of threading, adhesive, magnetic, pressure fitting, and other methods have all been used to attach filters directly to lenses and lens housing. With the integration and attachment of cameras to a greater variety of devices these methods are often no longer adequate or optimal. Variety in camera size and shape often make it problematic to couple the filters directly to the camera lens or lens housing. Many cameras do not permit coupling by threading or magnetism. Some cameras and lens configurations or dimensions do not permit mounting by external pressure.

Advantages

The present invention allows removable coupling to a remote area on the camera or object the camera is integrated into or affixed to. This enables the filter to be attached when it cannot be directly coupled to the lens or lens housing. A flexion arm conjoined with the filter frame enables remote coupling. The flexion arm is removably couples with the camera using through external pressure created by flexural rigidity. The flexion arm extends from lens filter element to the desired location of coupling, allowing versatility in coupling the filter to the camera or other object in areas non-proximate to the lens. This allows attachment when the lens, lens housing, or camera does not permit coupling by the methods discussed earlier, or it is not optimal to couple the filter directly to or around the lens. It also eliminates the need to permanently or temporarily attach the filter by use of adhesives, which can damage the lens and camera, and leave residue.

The flexion arm allows quicker installation and removal than coupling by hooking, threading or other more invasive methods of coupling. The flexion arm requires no permanent alteration to the camera. The ability to couple is not dependent on the material the coupled to object is made from, as the flexion arm is configured to contour or couple by other means.

SUMMARY

A method for attaching a camera filter to a lens or camera lens housing using a flexion arm or arms is disclosed. The flexion arm is made of metal, polycarbonate, or other material allowing flexural rigidity. The flexion arm is configured to contour to the camera. Camera is used to denote cameras or other devices to which a camera may be integrated into or attached to. The flexion arm expands to facilitate attachment and removal from the camera. The flexion arm is conjoined with a frame. In the exemplary embodiment, the frame is attached by riveting. The frame is conjoined with the light transmissive element, i.e. a camera filter, or other optical device. The frame is configured to abut the camera lens or camera lens housing.

The flexion arm is configured to be slightly smaller or have the same dimensions as the object it couples with. This enables exertion of force when removably attached. External force is used to install the flexion arm mount on the camera. The flexion arm presses, slides, or snaps over the camera. The flexion arm expands to facilitate attachment and removal from the camera. When external pressure ceases, the flexion arm attempts to return to its unstressed position and couples with the camera. External force created by flexural rigidity allows the flexion arm to couple with the camera. The pressure exerted by the flexion arm secures the frame and light transmissive element in a stationary position over the lens or lens housing.

The exemplary embodiment below has one flexion arm. Alternate embodiments can include a plurality of flexion arms. While one flexion arm is sufficient to couple the filter, additional flexion arms can augment coupling when the camera restricts extension of a single flexion arm. Multiple arms can allow greater coupling capacity with objects of certain materials and dimensions. Additional flexion arms are also comprised of material allowing for flexural rigidity.

Alternate embodiments can include additional means of coupling to augment the coupling ability of the flexion arm. Hooks, snap-hooks, or other mechanisms could be used to reinforce non-proximate coupling to the camera.

Alternate embodiments can include ventilation openings on the flexion arm or arms. Cameras and other devices to which the flexion arm can be attached produce electrical heat. The openings would provide ventilation, keeping the camera cooler and reducing heat conduction by the flexion arm mount.

The exemplary embodiment is utilized to attach a light transmissive element over the lens. In alternative embodiments lens caps and other camera accessories could be attached by the flexion arm method.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the following figures. These figures are provided for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited to the subject matter illustrated in the figures.

FIG. 1A shows a top perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 1B shows a planal side view of the invention.

FIG. 1C shows a bottom perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 1D shows a front view of the invention.

FIG. 2A shows the flexion arm mount detached from a camera.

FIG. 2B shows the flexion arm mount coupled with a camera.

FIG. 2C shows a side view of the flexion arm mount coupled to a camera

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment with a plurality of flexion arms

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment with an augmented coupling mechanism

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment with a plurality of ventilation openings

DRAWING: LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   11 flexion arm mount     -   21 flexion arm     -   22 frame     -   23 light transmissive element     -   24 additional flexion arm     -   31 lens     -   32 camera body     -   41 augmented coupling mechanism     -   51 ventilation opening

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

A flexion arm 21 is conjoined with a frame 22. A light transmissive element 23 can be seen in the front of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1A. The flexion arm 21 is configured to the desired shape. FIG. 1B shows the flexion arm 21 in a cylindrical configuration. The flexural rigidity allows the flexion arm 21 to move from this position for attachment and removal. The flexion arm 21 embodiment in FIG. 1A-1D is attached to the top of the frame 22. The flexion arm 21 could be attached on any sides or sides of the frame 22. A plurality of flexion arms 21 is also considered.

FIG. 1C shows the light transmissive element 23 conjoined with the frame 22. The pressure applied by the flexion arm 21 securely affixes the light transmissive element 23 over the camera lens. The mounting surface of the flexion arm 21 can be seen in FIG. 1D. The flexion arm is configured to conform to the camera or object when mounted and in its original state.

FIG. 2A shows the flexion arm mount 11 detached from a lens 31 and camera 32. The flexion arm 21 is configured to allow attachment through flexural rigidity with the camera body 32. The frame 22 and light transmissive element 23 is configured to fit the lens or lens housing.

FIG. 2B shows the flexion arm mount 11 coupled to the lens 31 and camera 32. The frame 22 securely abuts the lens or lens housing. The flexion arm 21 is capable of expansion when pressure is applied, allowing removable attachment. The flexion arm 21 contours and exerts pressure on the camera body 32 to establish coupling.

FIG. 2C shows a side view of the flexion arm 21 coupled with the camera body 32. In this embodiment the flexion arm 22 is flush with the camera body 32. Other embodiments can use additional coupling mechanisms to achieve mounting. When attached the frame 22 and light transmissive element 23 align and abut with the lens or lens housing of the camera, holding the lens stationary.

FIG. 2A-2C show the flexion arm mount 11 mounted on cylindrical camera 32 and lens 31. Other embodiments of the flexion arm 21 can be configured to fit cameras or surfaces of different shapes. The frame 22 and light transmissive element 23 can be configured to fit lens or lens housings of a different shapes.

Alternate embodiments can include additional flexion arms as depicted in FIG. 3. The additional flexion arm 24 enables more secure coupling with objects permitting coupling on multiple surfaces. FIG. 3 shows a flexion arm 21 and additional flexion arm 24 of different lengths than embodiment in FIG. 1A-1D. Flexion arm dimension can be adjusted based on the camera or object to be coupled to.

FIG. 4 shows the flexion arm mount 11 with augmented coupling mechanism 41. The augmented coupling mechanism 41 is conjoined with the flexion arm 21. In this embodiment the augmented coupling mechanism 41 is perpendicular to the flexion arm 21. In some situations, an augmented coupling mechanism 41 or plurality of augmented coupling mechanisms will better stabilize the flexion arm mount 11 and aid the flexion arm 21 in attaching the lens.

FIG. 5 shows a flexion arm mount 11 with plurality of ventilation openings 51 in the flexion arm 21. Cameras, drones and other electronic devices a flexion arm mount 11 can be coupled with produce heat. The ventilation openings 51 are placed on the flexion arm 21 to allow heat to escape. When the flexion arm 21 is comprised of a heat conducting material the ventilation openings 51 also reduce heat transfer and conduction. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of attaching an optical device, comprising: a. A light transmissive element, a frame, and a flexion arm, said light transmissive element being connected to the frame, said frame being connected to said flexion arm, b. Said flexion arm is comprised of material allowing for flexural rigidity, c. Said flexural rigidity enabling coupling with an area non-proximate to a camera lens, Whereby, said light transmissive object is attached to a camera lens or lens housing.
 2. The method recited in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of flexion arms.
 3. The method recited in claim 1, wherein there is an opening or a plurality of openings, whereby said openings permit ventilation.
 4. The method recited in claim 1, wherein there are additional coupling mechanisms conjoined with the flexion arm, whereby said additional coupling mechanisms augment said flexion arm's coupling capability 